UGMC marks neonatal jaundice awareness month with community health walk

The Pediatric Department of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Friday organized a vibrant health walk to commemorate Neonatal Jaundice Awareness Month, an initiative spearheaded by the Paediatric Society of Ghana.

The event formed part of a broader public health campaign aimed at sensitizing the public on the dangers of neonatal jaundice — a common yet potentially life-threatening condition in newborns.

Clad in yellow to represent the primary symptom of jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes — healthcare professionals, hospital staff, and community members participated in the awareness walk which traversed neighborhoods surrounding the UGMC.

In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, Dr. Ruth Sam, Paediatrician at the UGMC, emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment.

“Jaundice is something we see often in babies, but it should never be ignored,” she explained.

"Our goal is to empower the public with knowledge so they can take quick action when they notice the signs.”

Dr. Sam outlined the symptoms of neonatal jaundice, noting that aside from the yellowish tint in the eyes and skin, advanced stages of the condition may present as poor feeding, lethargy, fever, and even seizures.

"Once you notice anything unusual in a baby — even if it’s not your own but a friend’s or relative’s — the best course of action is to immediately seek medical attention,” she added.

The outreach, which involved face-to-face education sessions with community members, marked a shift from traditional awareness to actionable steps for prevention and early treatment.

“This walk symbolizes our movement from awareness to action,” said one of the pediatric nurses involved in the initiative.

"We want to ensure that no baby suffers complications from jaundice simply because their caregivers didn’t know what to do.”

The event reinforced UGMC’s commitment to community health education and proactive pediatric care.

Ayawaso West Municipal Health Director, Dr. Akua Adutwumwaa Boamah Addy who participated in the health walk emphasized a shift in strategy regarding neonatal jaundice awareness.

“This time, we won’t stay in our facilities—we’re moving into the community,” she said.

“We are going beyond creating awareness to taking action"

"We want mothers and caregivers to know more about jaundice and the importance of early reporting to the hospital so that we can help children have a bright future.”

Her comments reflect the growing commitment of health professionals to engage directly with the public in combating neonatal health challenges.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith